Leslie Ann Nelson is Inmate of the Month

I had no idea there were inmate awards until I read about Leslie Ann Nelson, the transsexual go-go dancer who killed two law enforcement officers in a 1995.

Transsexual go-go dancer Leslie Ann Nelson shot to death two law enforcement officers in a 1995 standoff. But now, officials at her prison have given her an award, as well as a hug, an honor that has infuriated a statewide police organization…

…Nelson received a certificate; a hug and a special lunch during an Oct. 20 Inmate of the Month ceremony at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Clinton, where Nelson is serving a life sentence…

…Department of Corrections spokesman Matt Schuman said Edna Mahan presents 120 of the inmate awards annually, a number equal to 10 percent of the Hunterdon County prisonâ€™s population. Schuman said the award is a piece of paper for a certificate and the choice of a turkey, vegetable or tuna wrap for lunch, along with a soda and a doughnut…

As you might imagine, groups like the state’s Policemenâ€™s Benevolent Association aren’t pleased:

â€œThe idea that our state would award a vicious and cold-blooded murderer like Leslie Ann Nelson is both outrageous and disgusting,â€ state Policemenâ€™s Benevolent Association President Michael J. Madonna told The Star-Ledger of Newark for Saturday newspapers.

If awards like this keep prisoners form harming prison employees and each other, I say give them the certificate, the tuna, the soda and the donut – someone like Nelson won’t be getting much more for the rest of her life.

I remember when this happened. She shot through her door with an assualt weapon as the cops were trying to break in. Two other cops were wounded but survived. Those dumbazzes sued their own PD for not training them well enough.